For sexually-active women in their reproductive years who aren't taking any form of hormonal birth control that is known to have the potential to lead to absent periods, pregnancy is — of course — the main suspect whenever a menstrual period is delayed. What if your first pregnancy test came back negative, and subsequent ones do too, but there's still no sign of "aunt flo", though?
On this thread, inquiring — and worried — minds want to know.
What do the experts say?
On this thread women who experienced delayed periods but had negative pregnancy tests came together to discuss their worries — and this applied both to those women who were hoping to be pregnant and those who weren't. While a missed period seems like quite the mystery if you are not pregnant, it is not that uncommon for menstruation to be delayed slightly.
Pregnant after all?
Some of the women who missed a period but had a negative pregnancy test will turn out to be pregnant after all. This will most often be the case because they tested too early, using a test that wasn't sensitive enough to detect the hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in their body. While pregnancy tests are usually accurate when taken at any time from the day you missed your period, you could wait a few days more and test again. Remember that the concentration of hCG in your urine is highest first thing in the morning, so test at that time.
Ectopic pregnancy, in which an embryo implants outside the uterus in a place like one of your fallopian tubes, is another rare possibility to be aware of. This delays the production of hCG, the hormone detected in pregnancy tests, and can be life-threatening. Always seek immediate medical attention if you experience the following signs of an ectopic pregnancy:
- Sharp abdominal pain
- Shoulder pain
- Vaginal bleeding
- A feeling of faintness, dizziness of confusion
Keep in mind that women who have taken an emergency contraceptive such as Plan B during any particular cycle may also experience a slightly delayed period. They should still start menstruating within three weeks of taking emergency contraceptives, however, and need to take a pregnancy test if they don't get their period within this time frame.
Secondary amenorrhea: causes
Most systemic problems that will cause your periods to stop will not simply show up overnight, but will rather become apparent over a period of time. However, if you miss periods more often, it is time to pay attention. When a woman has experienced normal menstruation before but has now missed three periods in a row, this is called secondary amenorrhea. It can be caused by a wide variety of reasons, including:
- Physiological reasons — these are pregnancy, breastfeeding (during which many women do not have periods), and the menopause.
- Certain medications — these include hormonal contraceptives, certain antidepressants and hypertension meds, and chemotherapy drugs.
- Other medical procedures, such as a dilation and curettage (D&C) and radiation therapy.
- Medical conditions, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, a slow or fast thyroid, and pituitary tumors.
Links:
- https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/menstruation/conditioninfo/causes
- https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/amenorrhea/conditioninfo/causes
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14633-abnormal-menstruation-periods
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stopped-or-missed-periods/
- https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/morning-after-pill-emergency-contraception/whats-plan-b-morning-after-pill
- https://medlineplus.gov/ectopicpregnancy.html
Discussion highlights
Questions
Many discussion participants wanted to know if a delayed period points to pregnancy even if pregnancy tests showed up negative:
- Does anyone have any advice on what i should do next?
- How long does it take to get to get high hcg levels?
- Could I be pregnant?
- My boyfriend asked me if I had any good news and was I pregnant?
- did you ever get your period or go to the doctors?
- I'm wondering if it's the stress of having my husband home again after so long, or could my hormones possibly be messing up due to having sex regularly after not having it for a year?
- ya Did u happen to find out anymore or take another test?
- did you find out if you where pregnant?
- but i still dont have my period, i have cramps all the time as if im going to start, i have discharge, my nipples get tingly lately, and i have what i believe would be heart burn, i never had heart burn before, even with my other pregnancies, im gaining weight not to much though, just a few pounds, and i feel like i need to constantly eat even if im not hungry, maybe thats due to being bored when the kids are sleeping?
- Anyone else have this happen?
- were you pregnant?
- Are we are one of those people that are pregnant but don't know it of which there seem to be many people who get negative tests and then find they are?
- Hi Guest & Nadia Just wondered what happened with you both.
- Please let me know what your outcomes were?
- Can you guys please keep up with your posts to see if you ended up pregnant.
- Is there a possibility I tested to soon?
- Anyone know anything or have any advice?
- When did you test because I'm a week late, tested with shitty tests and al came back negative but I 'feel' pregnant
- WHERE YOU PREGNANT AFTER ALL?
- Were you pregnant ?
- Yes I do and did you ever find out if you where pregnant
- We're you ever pregnant ?
- I just want to know of any of you ladies have been this late before and if its been something other than pregnancy?
- im 6 days delayed and im experiencing backpain and pain in my lower abdomen am i pregnant?
Symptoms
Some of those women who missed a period also reported other symptoms:
- The week leading up i had terrible stomach cramps expecially in a morning and when walking, i hace severe backache i have had dizziness almost every night enough to go to bed early to sleep it off.
- I have felt sick, and smelt smells that i did in my previous pregnancys (strange i know?) I have heartburn tonight that could be due to a curry i ate for tea I went to the toilet wednesday and when i wiped i had a mucus that was pink tinted.
- I have abdominal cramping, I'm so so tired, off and on "crummy" feeling where I'm not incredibly nauseous but feel just a little sick to my stomach.
- Also I'm eating like crazy.
- I don't have any tender breasts or frequent peeing or any of that.
- Still no period and still feeling sick and having cramps.
- Hello :) hopefully someone can help me :(Im about 2 weeks past my period due date (which is strange as im usually on time)Ive been having terrible backacheI feel very different in myselfMy tummy seems to look a little biggerI get this Clear/White discharge which is like water mostlyEvery morning i feel quite sick to the point were i feel like im gunna chuck upEven my Fiance keeps telling me to be careful with myself (which is wierd cause usually hes not bothered haha)SOMEONE HELP!
- It’s nice to know that other women are in the same boat, i have a regular 28day cycles i am now day on 35.
- i only have mild symptoms - white discharge, heart burn and tiredness, i have taken two test now one at 3 days late and one at 5 days all negative.
- I still have no menstrual cycle and no sign of it coming, I am not sure how much longer I should wait.
- I'm having lower back pain and feeling pain in my lower abdomen.
- My boyfriend and I use pullout method, so I was convinced I was pregnant at one point (despite negative tests) due to the pregnancy-like symptoms I was experiencing (mild cramping, frequent urination, very sore boobs, overly emotional, nausea, discharge and lower back pain!) However, i also was experiencing vaginal discomfort/burning which turned out to be thrush.
- I keep track of my period using a tracker, and it hasn't failed me yet- I'm always right on time, but last month that changed.
- My husband has been overseas for a year and just got back last month, the day my period was due, but it ended up being 5 days late.
- But again, I'm almost 4 days late.
- I've been expierencing lower back pain, and mild cramping like I have when my period is coming.
- My appetite has completly gone, try to eat but have no interest in eating n feel full very quickly.
- My breasts are so sore and swollen, my stomach is swollen and uncomfortable, I feel nausea etc.
- I've had lower abdominal cramping but before that I had started getting lower back pain, which I still have, headaches started 2 days ago and have had some viginal discharge.
- It's started with weight gain, then fatigue, then the nausea came.
- I have lower back pain, nausea and heart burn.
- Also some strange sensations in my belly button.
- Not interested in food and when I do eat I’m so full.
Experiences
Those who experienced delayed periods shared their experiences:
- Me and my partner use the pull out method also.My periods have been pretty regular.
- But that was just the once and with my period being close i thought all these symptoms could be because of that even though i dont normally suffer any severe symptoms leading up to my period barring the odd "period vellyach".
- But no sign of it as of yet.i took two pregnancy tests on friday and one this morning and they are both BFN.
- I have always had regular periods, never missed one, never been late, ever.
- I took a few hpt and they were negative and also took a blood test earlier this week but it also came out negative.
- i only have mild symptoms - white discharge, heart burn and tiredness, i have taken two test now one at 3 days late and one at 5 days all negative.
- I think it’s nice to have people to talk to even though you don’t know them;
- My Husband is not fussed about it but its not happening to him.
- I quietly hope I am but we will see what happens.
- So I found this link: it says it might be delayed ovulation!
- My Mum is a retired Doctor and she suspected the same thing (possible UTI and definitely thrush) So I used natural home remedies ( 0% greek yogurt, cranberry juice, tea tree oil etc) to potentially help this while waiting for my gyn apt, and on Monday I got my period!
- Once I began to treat that, along came my period!
- Easier said than done, as when my period was late i was freaking out, but the moment I calmed down, it showed up!
- I just have a feeling it will come back neg.
- really just want to wade it out
- I put that into my tracker and it updated my "schedule" for this month.
- I've taken 4 home pregnancy tests and they've all been negative.
- They were all "early detection" tests and I took 2 before my period was due, one the day it was due, and one after I was 2 days late.
- Clear negatives.
- I'm never late, always work like clockwork.
- Have taken 3 test this wk all negative thought they are all cheap tests.
- I'm 21 years old and i already have 2 beautiful children that i love to death.
- but for months ( 7 to be exact) my period has always been on the 2nd week of my pills.My periods are always on time!
- But its suppose to either make your period a few days late or early, or even perfectly on time., well i still havent gotten my period, we took two tests, both clear blue, one in the evening, and then a few days later first thing in the morning, both were negative.
- I am in the same boat, I am freaking out a because I am TTC.
- I use a tracker and have always had a 32 day cycle.
- I have taken 2 pregnancy tests (3 days and 5 days late), both are negative.
- I was looking around as I think it helps to know other people are in the same boat and that we are not mad!
- No problems.
- However, urine tests are negative.
- Went to doctor and she is not too worried.
- this has been a VERY stressful month for me so im praying that is all that is wrong.
- Haven't taken a pregnancy test yet because my husband says it could be nothing.
Suggestions
What should women who have missed a period but got a negative pregnancy tests do? Among the suggestions offered on the thread were:
- I am thinking i should go to the doctor but my husband thinks i should wait.
- (that can have different causes like ovarian cysts!)Not happy with doctor's diagnose so, will go to the gyn asap.
- My Mum is a retired Doctor and she suspected the same thing (possible UTI and definitely thrush) So I used natural home remedies ( 0% greek yogurt, cranberry juice, tea tree oil etc) to potentially help this while waiting for my gyn apt, and on Monday I got my period!
- That may not work for all though, so I suggest you still see your gyn.
- I say you should relax, and try not to stress.
- so i took the Plan B.
- Went to doctor and she is not too worried.
- I'm not going to test again unless something happens.
- If I were you, see if you can get a blood test.
- I plan on waiting a few more days and going to the dr.
- I am waiting until Wednesday to take another pregnancy test.
- ive called the doctors and told them about the symptoms i am having which are: bad period like cramps, very awful backpains, and discharge.
- i talked to one of my doctors nurses and she said it is possible to be irregular but that i should start, but i still havent, i called back and they said to go ahead and take another one because my count possibly wasnt high enough for the test to read it or something.
- i want to get pregnant bt i dnt want to go for hpt rightaway so early as it might give incorrect result.
- Your test more then likely wont show positive until about 3-4 weeks as hcg levels are not high enough.
- So calculate that by counting the number of days from the first day of your last period
- I am going to wait two weeks if it is that late and then test with a better test which I suggest is a good thing to do.
- I would wait a couple of weeks, take a reasonably priced test and then book an appointment with you Gp.
- not really sure whats going on, im trying not to think about it, so that i dont stress and my period will come.
- making an appointment this week, for a blood test.
- I have an obgyn appt for next Friday!
- You know your body best, if you think you are there is a good chance you might be just monitor your body and treat it as though you are pregnant until you know for sure.
- I highly suggest a blood test.
- I did hpt first month negative second month negative so I go to see my GYN DOCTOR he tells me he will check blood work and get back to me in 3-5 days.
- So yes I'm nervous and would like to get a second opinion.
- Better u try blood test so u get to know early if u pregnant
In conclusion
If your period is only a few days late and you wouldn't mind being pregnant, it is most likely safe to wait a few days to see if your menstruation begins. You can take another pregnancy test during this time if you like. Should your period simply not show up at all, however, we would advise you to check in with your doctor. This is especially important for women who notice the possible symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy and for those who have missed more than one menstrual period.